Financial Resources

Note: Patient Assistance Programs (PAPs) are programs created by drug companies to offer free or low cost drugs to individuals who are unable to pay for their medication. All major drug companies have PAPs, although each have different eligibility and application requirements.

Bausch + Lomb Patient Assistance Program (PAP)

Caring Voice Coalition

Caring Voice Coalition empowers patients who live with a life threatening chronic disease through comprehensive outreach programs and services aimed at financial, emotional and educational support. Patient phone line (888) 267-1400.

Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund:

The Catastrophic Illness in Children Relief Fund (for Massachusetts residents only) provides financial assistance to families with children who have a medical condition requiring services that are not otherwise covered by insurance or any other financial resource. In order to be eligible, a family must have expenses related to a child's medical condition that exceed 10% of the family's gross annual income up to $100,000 and 15% of any portion of the annual family income that exceeds $100,000.

Co-Pay Relief Program

The Patient Advocate Foundation's Co-Pay Relief (CPR) Program provides direct co-payment assistance for pharmaceutical products (chemotherapy, injections, and pharmacy prescriptions) to insured Americans who qualify. CPR call counselors work directly with the patient, as well as with the provider of care, to obtain necessary medical, insurance, and income information. Contact the program for eligibility information. 757-952-0118 or 866-512-3861 (Responds to calls in English only)

First Hand Foundation

Assists individual children with health-related needs when insurance and other financial resources have been exhausted. First Hand Foundation accepts applications from anywhere in the world; applicants must meet stated financial guidelines. Expenses covered include treatment, equipment, vehicle modifications and lodging, food and other expenses for those who must travel for treatment.

Free Gas USA

A national non-profit, Free Gas USA assists United States citizens by helping to pay for gasoline to drive to work, medical appointments, school, grocery shopping, etc. Grants are awarded monthly to pre-qualified candidates based on level of income, need, circumstance and the availability of grant funding.

Friends of Karen

Friends of Karen provides emotional, financial and advocacy support for children with a life-threatening illness and their families, in order to help keep them stable, functioning and able to cope. (914) 617-4042.

Friends of Man

Friends of Man is the charitable arm of the Institute for the New Man, gives help to people who find themselves in a situation where they have nowhere else to turn. It may be an elderly person on a fixed income, a working family whose child is struck by severe illness, an accident victim, a disabled person, or a schoolchild whose family can't afford basic needs.

Give Forward

Give Forward empowers friends and family to send love and financial support to patients as they navigate a medical crisis. Helps patients and their families raise money for things like co-pays on expensive medicine, travel and lodging for treatment in other cities, and experimental treatments not covered by insurance.

HealthWell Foundation

HealthWell Foundation provides financial assistance to eligible individuals who cannot afford their certain out-of-pocket health care expenses. To qualify, the Foundation's insurance, income, and medical criteria must be met. They provide assistance for numerous diseases and medications; a full list can be found the Foundation's website. 800-675-8416 (Responds to calls in English and Spanish)

Lions Club International

The Lions Club provides financial assistance to individuals for eye care through local clubs. They support sight programs including vision screenings, eye banks and eyeglass recycling.

NeedyMeds

NeedyMeds is a web-based information resource for people who need assistance paying for health care. NeedyMeds has information on patient assistance programs (PAPs); patients are able to search a directory of drugs that are available. NeedyMeds does not supply medications or financial assistance but helps people find programs that provide these services. They also offer information on other assistance programs.

Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc.

The Novartis Patient Assistance Foundation, Inc. (PAF) provides assistance to patients experiencing financial hardship who have no third-party insurance coverage for their medicines. In 2012, the Novartis PAF provided $500 million in free medication to 100,000 patients in the United States. (800) 277-2254.

Patient Assistance

Patient Assistance is a website dedicated to helping people find patient assistance programs. Assistance may range from reduced cost of drugs to free medicine.

United Healthcare Children's Foundation

United Healthcare Children's Foundation is a non-profit charity dedicated to improving access to medical-related services for children who have medical needs that are not fully covered by their insurance. The Foundation provides financial assistance in the form of a medical grant to be used for medical services for children (16 years and younger) not covered or not completely covered by commercial health benefit plans. 952-992-4459 (Responds to calls in English only)

This online information is provided for educational and communication purposes only and it should not be construed as personal medical advice. Information published on this website is not intended to replace, supplant, or augment a consultation with an eye care professional regarding the viewer/user's own medical care.